leadership — Blog — Michael J. Zappa, MD, FACEP

Pursuing Peak Performance

By Michael J. Zappa, MD FACEP

Ask yourself the question: could you be doing better? Use whatever frame of reference you would like, and I bet in at least one area or another you would answer yes. Undoubtedly everyone has enjoyed a period, whether long or short, when they felt like they have hit their stride, accomplished a goal, and reveled in some personal pride. What did you do that was so right? In the stressful world of today it's easy to get caught in a rut, focusing on just surviving instead of thriving. If you're not at one of those peaks sailing along successfully, or if you are, and you want to keep it going, remember the three “Ps”: positivity, persistence, and priorities.

Childish Insights: Running Toward Your Best Life

By Michael J. Zappa, MD, FACEP

Stepping outside just before dawn over the past few weeks there is a sensation, a smell, a feeling that quickly floods my brain producing a state that is most accurately described as the perfect balance of contentment and excitement. What is this magic that is happening in my mind? It’s the triggering of my childhood memory of the beginning of summer: another school year was done, and I had an entire summer to do whatever I wanted! It took me a couple of days to figure it out, but I quickly recognized there was no reason not to approach this summer, and in fact every season, with that same sense of opportunity – it would simply require listening to my inner child.

Personal GrowthMichael J. Zappa, MD, FACEPJune 28, 2021leadership, insights, motivation, life

Time: The Currency of Life

By Michael J. Zappa, MD, FACEP

Try to imagine a list of topics that you could introduce into almost any conversation that would be free of controversy. Top on that list would have to be the value of life, the wonder of the gift of life, the exhilaration of saving a life, or helping truly transform someone's life.

Fatherly Wisdom: The Seven Pillars

By Michael J. Zappa, MD, FACEP

Imagine any advice that could be considered wisdom; whether it seems like common sense or a profound revelation, it is probably not complex. Now think about how long it may be applicable…wisdom actually has no expiration date.

My sisters and I are the abundant beneficiaries of my father’s wisdom, from the sayings that were uniquely his such as “there’s no grass growing under my feet” – reminding us not to idle or move so slowly that seeds of grass had time to sprout, to his personal translations of great historical philosophers.

Hitting the Sweet Spot with Swagger

By Michael J. Zappa, MD, FACEP

Think of a person you admire, look up to, or perhaps are even a little jealous of, someone you would consider successful, generally positive, or a good role model. That individual does what they do with apparent ease and confidence, from just walking down the hall, interacting with others, or being the center of attention. They are admirable and affable, but not quite arrogant.

Unlocking the Secret of Significance

By Michael J. Zappa, MD, FACEP

Dreams and aspirations come in many forms: from the drive to be the best at something, to lead a victorious team, to be a great parent, or to be that selfless, ever-reliable friend and humanitarian. Many people can check the box of some of these achievements, yet they may remain unfulfilled - reaching their goal did not transform them.

Crisis: What this Stress Test Reveals

By Dr. Michael J. Zappa

Every crisis reveals the truth about systems, processes, and people. Amidst the tears and the heroes of the COVID-19 pandemic there are many valuable lessons to be learned. People will be the focal point of this discussion today: recognizing the Unfiltered View of society and what attracts us to Crisis Leaders.

The Art of Leading: Never Let Them See You Stress

By Dr. Mike Zappa

Leaders are always on stage; they are not allowed to have a bad day. It sounds a little harsh, but indeed true. Think about what would happen if your leader walked around showing the weight of the world on his/her shoulders. They might not be that obvious or dramatic, perhaps even deny they're having a bad day if asked. The fact remains that their team could tell, perhaps even strangers: less talkative, less eye contact, just business, appearing distant and distracted. Remember, we garner more truth from non-verbal cues than from the spoken ones: posture, position, and facial expression are key forms of honest communication.

Leadership DevelopmentMichael J. Zappa, MD, FACEPMarch 3, 2020leadership, positivity, stress

The White Coat Might Just Be The Cape That Hospital Leadership is Looking For

By Michael J. Zappa, MD, FACEP

I am often asked today if I am a doctor or an administrator, my response is both, always! You might ask, can a physician really be both? The answer is yes, BUT not every physician. If you take the group of all physicians, the first cut is those that are interested, then it is narrowed by those that are prepared: either through formal education, life experience or both, and the final cut is those that have the demonstrated ability to lead by inspiring a diverse team and operationalizing a vision. Today this represents a rather narrow playing field.

Leadership Made Simple but NOT Easy – Achieving Cultural Transformation in Healthcare

By Michael J. Zappa, MD, FACEP

Attaining most any goal or dream requires us to do something different, which goes against the natural human tendency to stay in our comfort zone. Transformation has to start with change, but we resist change until the pain of staying the same exceeds the pain of change…..yes PAIN is the catalyst and friend of transformation.

Understanding the difference between change and transformation is important.

Recognizing Emergency Nurses

By Dr. Michael J. Zappa

Over 145 million patients come to US Emergency Departments every year; it takes over 167,000 emergency nurses to provide compassionate care to these patients: whether a child with a fever or a senior struggling to breathe, they are America’s frontline for care.

Many people outside of emergency medicine may not realize that our nation’s EDs provide an accurate and unfiltered view of society. This slice of reality shows humanity at its best and worst. In addition to the joy of saving a life, the occasional thank you and smile that an ED nurse will receive, they may be yelled at, unappreciated, subjected to unpleasant comments, and even assaulted…. by people they are just trying to help.

Yet, 24/7, 365 days per year - days, nights, weekends, holidays, sunny days, stormy days, natural disasters— these dedicated professionals put their personal needs and those of their families aside and dedicate themselves to caring for all types of strangers.

As an emergency physician, I can personally affirm that I could not do my job without them: they are my right hand (and my left), my eyes, my ears, my conscience, and sometimes even my kinder, gentler voice!

A CARE PLAN For Burnout Prevention

By Dr. Michael J. Zappa

Too much of a good thing can sometimes be a problem; there is a risk that caring too much can result in burnout. Even a profession that is literally and figuratively built on it, as is healthcare, there is not immunity to an overdose of caring.

You might be thinking: “What healthcare leader would ever tell a member of their team to care less?” Self-reflect and visualize your peers and the people you are leading. Do any of these characteristics seem familiar?

Constantly worries about what people think
Always feels obligated to fix things
Has a hard time letting things go
Starts the day with a list of worries
Ends the day with a list of worries
Stresses about staff turnover
Stresses about staff happiness

I’m sure you can identify with some of these tendencies personally or amongst your team. The answer is not to stop caring about patients, staffing, getting through your “to do” list, or about being liked; the answer is to care just the right amount! Think of care as sugar; in the words of Mary Poppins it takes “Just a spoonful of sugar…!”

The Wedding Toast: Lessons in Leadership from Love

By Dr. Michael J. Zappa

Recently, I had the opportunity to share the joy and intense emotions of giving away my daughter in marriage. At this extraordinary event, I had the fatherly privilege of making the welcome toast. Reflecting on these thoughts in the days that have passed, I realize that these principles and practices that guide us toward happy and healthier relationships are key traits that great leaders exhibit. Please indulge me in the following excerpt from that toast I gave at the wedding of my daughter Francesca to her husband Matthew.

One of the privileges of being the Dad of a little girl is that she sits on your lap and you have little talks from time to time. One I remember in particular is when her mother was out shopping, because that’s what she did when Daddy and daughter spent time together, Francesca looks me in the eyes and says: “Daddy when I grow up I want to marry you” ….. I had to politely explain to her that Mommy wouldn’t like that too much! She then went on to say: “How will I ever find the right person to marry?” I said: “Honey, when you fall in love and if that person treats you as well as I do, then he’s the one.” Matthew you’ve passed that test.

So I can’t leave without a little advice for Francesca and Matthew…..You are starting your life together, what’s the most important thing? The most important thing is LOVE….that’s a great word but there are a lot of things that go into it. For my colleagues in medicine, you know we have to make acronyms out of everything to help us remember….

Leadership DevelopmentMichael J. Zappa, MD, FACEPSeptember 9, 2019leadership, love, wisdom, vision, openness, listening

Working Naked

By Michael J. Zappa

The human body is the most brilliant machine ever created and the quintessential work of art. The headline above is not referring to your creativity and accomplishments in your clothing optional private abode; it is taking literary license from 19th century Danish author, Hans Christian Andersen.

Reflect on the fairy tale, The Emperor’s New Clothes. The Emperor (leader) was a vain man, concerned more with appearances, accolades, and maintaining his current position than the harsh realities that others faced. His subjects were afraid to express their honest opinions to him, fearing they might be deemed unfit for their position or even stupid. The climax of this tale occurs when he is fooled by some weavers into wearing a “spectacular new suit” that, in fact, doesn’t exist at all. The Emperor is allowed to parade through the town naked. Finally, a mere child blurts out in honesty that the Emperor is wearing nothing at all.

Leaders at all levels of an organization run the risk of being caught naked at work, but this risk increases as one ascends the ranks. People see pleasing their boss as important, essential to keeping their jobs. Most leaders would proclaim they are wise enough to detect blatant deception, but it is often more subtle than that. Very often what happens is filtering; direct reports present the info that makes them look good and their boss is expecting. This filtering of information is equivalent to a slight degree of course variation which becomes obvious 100 miles or more into the journey.

The Pursuit of Balance

By Dr. Michael J. Zappa

Long term success in life is rarely achieved by perpetual crisis management and the ability to work around the clock to meet a deadline…not that great leaders and successful individuals don’t have that ability and need to deploy it from time to time! One of the keys to sustained success is balance. Balance should not be viewed as a goal that is attained; rather a dynamic state in need of frequent adjustment…like a see-saw.

Influencing Your Team: 10 Leadership Traits that Drive the Ability to Influence Teams

By Dr. Michael J. Zappa

There is not a single leader who will not publicly state that he/she could not do their job without their them. However, as humans, I’d bet that most of them, in a moment of frustration ,have thought “it would be easier if I just did it myself.” Why? Because influencing people is a gradual process, not simply a decision with immediate results.

Accepting the reality that no matter how brilliant or hard-working you are, you will always need your team which means you need to learn how to influence them.

Master the following attributes and you will be well on your way.

Developing leaders must navigate the hallway of hell

Enhancing our own leadership development along with the novice and advanced leaders on our teams is mission critical in healthcare today. The environment that we are challenged to be successful in is very harsh — increasing the cost of technology and pharmaceuticals, the ever increasing cost of labor, on top of declining reimbursement.

The formula for success appears simple enough, but the challenge (as always) is the execution. Clearly, educating leaders and enhancing their skills will yield great outcomes; yet the material that must be mastered is not intuitive, and the skills must be practiced over and over to be mastered.